Fishtown Community Building Through Music
A few years ago, we moved our music lessons business out of our basement and into a beautiful space down the street in Fishtown. Feeling inspired by my own upbringing next to a fine arts and music institute for kids and adults, I decided to start teaching music classes to the smallest of our neighbors! I wanted to bring the experience of walking past an open window to the sounds of clarinets, opera singing, piano practice, and plays into my Fishtown community. Cracking open the windows on a warm June day, the sounds our first music classes and lessons were heard in Fishtown in 2014.

Bringing high quality music was a focus of mine. I had been to some great music classes throughout the city in my nannying days, and I realized how deeply kids responded to the ones with genuinely good music and real instruments. With this in mind, I created a flexible routine that engages kids through props, promotes spontaneous interaction between teacher and child, and trains the ears to hear pitches using Solfege, familiar songs, and other music-based exercises. At the center of my classes are our carefully selected teachers, often performers in Philly and teachers with a talent for connecting with kids. They play their guitar (and sometimes ukulele!), while performing and guiding children through various kids songs, rhymes, and our unique “Hello” and “Goodbye” songs.

Each week, old standards and new children’s songs are presented. With a scarves, pinwheels, parachutes, puppets, shakers, various world instruments, a big piano, and more, we explore what it means to play music. Interactive pieces shift from the most basic of kind to more complex dances and movement games as youngsters progress through the months. Heavily based on individual groups, these classes are adaptable – a good fit for many different ages.

Parents, sit back and enjoy as you play with your baby through this guided 45 minutes of fun! You can read our march newsletter below. Stroller parking is available.

Let’s usher in the Spring with some music making at Philly Music Lessons! As usual, we’ll be meeting weekly for classes in Fishtown and in South Philly (4PM Fridays in Fishtown and 9AM Wednesdays in South Philly). Our multi-aged classes are designed for 0-3 year olds and make for an awesome part of a day with kids – moms, dads, nannies, and other caregivers are welcome. With singalongs, movement activities, tons of props and assorted musical instruments, we change it up as we keep a base line of familiar kid favorites!

March in Fishtown | $40Sign Up
Fridays @ 4PM:
March 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 30th*Please note: NO CLASS on the 23rd!

Address:
2111 East Susquehanna AvePhiladelphia, PA

March in South Philly | $40Sign Up
Wednesdays @ 9AM:
March 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th

Address:1548 S. 13th StreetPhiladelphia, PA

Class Basics:

$10/class with a monthly sign up – Includes one makeup for missed classes per month, which can be used as credit towards upcoming sign ups or any classes scheduled at either location

$12 drop-ins with advanced notice only – Email ahead of time to let us know when you’ll be coming (please check with us to see if there’s space!)

First timers FREE

Online invoicing for monthly sign ups and drop-ins – Can pay online or make in-person payments

Registration Now Open!

Play guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and sing in a bandLearn the fundamentals of recording technology
Get performance experience in the studioWalk away with a professional quality recording of your child

Summer Rock Camp is held at the Philly Music Lessons studio in Fishtown, Philadelphia – Kids will learn to play faithful renditions of rock songs by such classic bands as The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin, as well as the modern bands they inspired, including Black Keys, Foo Fighters, Jack White, and My Morning Jacket. They will also get to study the basics of recording technology, live tracking, and overdubbing, before participating in a camp-culminating recording session. This music-based camp introduces beginners with little or no previous training to the fundamentals of rock performance, including guitar power chords, bass riffs, backbeat-driven rhythms, and emotive vocals. Intermediate students with regular instrumental lessons will have the opportunity to work in separate groups to study rock music in greater depth, undertaking closer note-for-note transcriptions of guitar solos and bass lines, original tempos and percussion arrangements, and multiple-part vocal harmonies. In addition to daily instrumental warm-up exercises and sectionals, band rehearsals, recording workshops, and general music instruction, we will listen to audio recordings, watch documentary and concert film excerpts, and discuss the greater cultural and sociological impact of the bands and music that we study. We break for lunch everyday, followed by an outdoor activity or indoor arts and crafts time. This is a multi-instrumental camp. Participating students will be encouraged to play guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards, as well as sing. A CD of the camp-culminating recording session will be provided to students as an archival benchmark of their musical progress and success. Contact Us for Registration

Director:

Josh Olmstead began directing student rock band workshops in 2003, adding a classical guitar ensemble component to his workshops in 2012. He is a classically trained guitarist, whose repertoire includes Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic works. As a classical guitarist, he has performed for private functions at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, National Constitution Center, and the Samuel Powel House. Josh is also an accomplished songwriter and recording and performing artist. His original music was recently featured in an episode of Southwest Airline’s Dish Trip. Josh’s songs also receive regular airplay on independent radio stations. As a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, Josh has performed internationally in England, Scotland, Germany, and the Netherlands, as well as in several U.S. cities. As a guitar instructor, Josh chooses specific coursework and style of guitar based on the interests and skill level of individual students. General study to include development of a wide range of skills, including accurate tuning, technique, scales, arpeggios, reading music notation, and/or tablature, sight reading, chords, songs and/or repertoire, vocal accompaniment, music theory, as well as general musicianship. Contact Us for Registration

Recent Testimonials

Joe is a fantastic guitar teacher. My son and husband both take lessons from him, and we see him at our house every week. No matter what, he is always cheerful and kind. He is one of my favorite people in Philadelphia. He singlehandedly eased our transition to Philly from Seattle and we are so grateful. He is a true gem, not only as a teacher and musician, but as a person. He is flexible, creative, hard-working--an all around standout.

Gwen G.

While searching the web for a music teacher earlier this year I thankfully came across Philly Music Lessons. I already had some experience being in a few bands and taken some basic music theory background, but I was looking to expand my horizons in both theory and songwriting. I wasn't sure if I was going to find a place that would offer more than just the the basic cookie cutter Guitar or Piano lessons, but after a few lessons I knew this was going to be a good fit. My first week of lessons I also tried out a well-known local guitar shop to compare, and needless to say Philly Music Lessons won by a long shot. Checking out their website they seemed to have a well rounded staff from beginner to more specific learning styles (like me). They matched me up with a really great teacher... 6 months in and can't recommend this place enough. I have been able to enhance my skills at Music Theory and Analysis, Song Structure and Composition for both Piano and Guitar and learn all the topics I'm interested in.

Mark S.

My 12 year old daughter studies piano with Philly Music Lesson's Joe Primavera. As a professional musician himself, Joe brings a lot of resources to the table. He has a unique ability to engage our daughter with the instrument, firmly grounding her in classical piano technique while exploring the singer-songwriter genre. His respect for her musical voice and style is something that I have not always experienced with other teachers. He knows how to make the most of her abilities, while consistently coaching her to a higher level. Sessions at our home are something the entire family looks forward to. Joe brings his guitar to every lesson, and accompanies our daughter on the piano. He also uses technology where appropriate, employing a mobile device to play back songs that our daughter is learning, working with her to interpret them for the piano. The music lessons are like jam sessions with professional musicians. I would recommend Joe and this school to anyone who is interested in nurturing their unique talent and bringing it to a performance level.

Jesse G.

I have nothing but praise for Alex. I was somewhat anxious trying to pick up a new hobby playing the drums. My nervousness dissipated quickly with Alex's guidance. He tailors each lesson with handwritten exercises, appealing both to my interests and skill level, and I always leave feeling like my skills have improved.

Pat D.

Joe is an excellent music teacher. He is very clear, attentive, and creative and makes the lessons and instruction feel fun and rewarding. My son is very excited about playing music.

Janet D.

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